Thesis (MDram (Drama))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / This dissertation investigates the potential for horror in the comic repertoires and performance styles of clowns, in an attempt to address the popular questions of why clowns inspire fear as well as laughter, and what makes them effective monsters in the horror genre. Notwithstanding short articles which offer a general and broad account, the question of why circus clowns are often viewed as frightening figures remains largely unexplored. For this reason I intend to undertake an in-depth exploration of the wide-ranging history of clowning – which includes anthropology, theatre, film, and literature. This study focuses on finding the primary causes of clowns’ horrific potential, rather than being satisfied with secondary causes such as the effect of their depictions in horror narratives on audiences. During my investigation of specific killer clown films, graphic novels and prose novels, and by drawing on works such as Noël Carroll’s Philosophy of Horror (1990), Mikhail Bakhtin’ Rabelais’ World (1984), and various other studies of the genres of horror and , or instances of practising clowns turning to crime, or simply accepting the view that they play tricks on their audiences, or that their make-up acts as a mask and therefore makes their faces and motives ‘unreadable’. Although these explanations are legitimate, they do not adequately explain why certain clown types prove to be such effective monsters in horror narratives. Clowns typically, albeit to varying degrees, flout taboos on deformity, scatology, violence and insanity, and carry with them the latent stigma attached to these phenomena, which are also recognised as the common themes of the horror genre. The focus of this study is not on clowns as figures of comic relief in horror, but as legitimate monsters in their own right, and an attempt is made to discover how audiences’ anticipation of comic relief and the ‘laws’ of comedy are used deceptively in the construction of clowns as figures of fear. During my investigation of specific killer clown films, graphic novels and prose novels, and by drawing on works such as Noël Carroll’s Philosophy of Horror (1990), Mikhail Bakhtin’ Rabelais’ World (1984), and various other studies of the genres of horror and comedy, as well as anthropological studies of clowns, I argue that, when clowns are shifted from comedy to horror, the comical features and actions that flout the taboos on deformity, scatology, violence and insanity are reinstated as elements of horror and fear. I propose that clowns have the potential to be appropriated as monsters in the horror genre because they exhibit a paradoxical duality of fear and humour, and they have the ability to transgress and violate comedy elements to horrific effect.

Women who learn to clown within Western contemporary theatre and performance training lack recognizably female exemplars of this popular art form. This practice-as-research thesis analyses my past and present clowning experiences in order to create an understanding of a woman-centered clown practice which allows for the expression of material bodies and lived experiences. It offers a feminist perspective on Jacques Lecoq’s pedagogy, which revolves around a notion of an ‘inner clown’ and is prevalent in contemporary UK clown training and practice. The thesis draws on both the avant-garde and numerous clown types and archetypes, in order to understand clowning as a genre revealed through a range of unsocialised behaviours. It does not differentiate necessarily between clowning by men and women but suggests a re-think and reconfiguration to incorporate a wide range of values and thought processes as a means of introduction to a wider audience. Specific concerns with the terms clown and clowning initiate this investigation, resulting in the creation of a ‘clowning continuum’, which offers a practical way of understanding various modes of clowning and various types of clowns. I examine my experiences, including those of ‘failure’, while working with renowned performer trainers, as well my negotiation of gender and sexuality through both my clowning in character and my creation of clowns. The twentieth century avant-garde artist Baroness Elsa von Freytag-Loringhoven, who inspired me to create ‘Clown Elsa’ and take her to art galleries and onto the street, is identified as a ‘radical female proto-clown’. My practical investigations into the potential interrelatedness of the masquerade of femininity and the mask of the clown are also shaped by discourses of hysteria and the carnivalesque. Drawing on Bakhtin’s concepts of carnival, dialogic practice and heteroglossia, as well as the transgressive potential of classical myth and archetypes for women, this thesis reconfigures clown practice and discourse by both challenging and developing upon Lecoq’s outmoded pedagogic practice. Its goal is to open it up for more types and modes of clown, in particular an ‘inner clown’ that can operate in a number of masks. It culminates in my creation of a feminist clown, Sedusa, who is inspired by Hélène Cixous’s writing on l’écriture feminine, myth and laughter in ‘The Laugh of the Medusa’ (1976). Sedusa expands clown models and masks for women by exploiting the ‘masquerade’ of femininity, a term originally coined by Joan Riviere in 1929. The thesis includes a performance as Sedusa as an embodiment of my research findings.

Este trabalho aborda a discussão sobre a diferenciação entre os termos "clown" e "palhaço". Inicialmente, contextualizamos e destacamos as seguintes desconfianças mútuas: o não reconhecimento sobre as competências e as metodologias de cada um; a negação inicial das referências circenses pelos freqüentadores dos cursos; a idéia de que o "palhaço" teria a sua origem legítima no picadeiro e os "clowns" estariam fazendo uma apropriação indevida desta arte para a dramaturgia teatral. Para superarmos tais visões, buscamos algumas aproximações e confluências importantes entre circo e teatro, que se acentuam com o surgimento do circo contemporâneo. Adotando uma visão que não separa "clowns" de "palhaços", nos servimos de conceitos das filosofias da diferença para criarmos algumas brechas por onde possam fluir idéias mais permeáveis, mais coerentes com a porosidade e abertura do corpo clownesco. Estão presentes nesta pesquisa estudiosos que valorizam a multiplicidade nesta arte, palhaços de diferentes períodos e tendências, além das minhas experiências pessoais como clown-palhaça e esportista. / This study approaches the discussion about the differentiation between the terms "clown" and "palhaço." Initially, the following reasons for mutual distrust are highlighted and contextualized: the lack of acknowledgement of their competences and methodologies, the initial denial of the circus references by those attending the courses, the idea that the "palhaço" would have his legitimate origin in the circus ring and the "clowns" would be inadequately taking this art to the theater. In order to go beyond such perspectives, the author looked for some important similarities and confluences between circus and theater that have become more evident after the emergence of the contemporary circus. Adopting a point of view that does not separate "clowns" and "palhaços," concepts of the philosophies of difference were used to create some breaches through which more permeable ideas can flow; such ideas are more coherent with the porosity and opening of the clown body. Researchers that value multiplicity in this art, clowns of different periods and tendencies, in addition to the author's personal experiences as a clown and sportswoman were included in the present study.

Este trabalho aborda a discussão sobre a diferenciação entre os termos "clown" e "palhaço". Inicialmente, contextualizamos e destacamos as seguintes desconfianças mútuas: o não reconhecimento sobre as competências e as metodologias de cada um; a negação inicial das referências circenses pelos freqüentadores dos cursos; a idéia de que o "palhaço" teria a sua origem legítima no picadeiro e os "clowns" estariam fazendo uma apropriação indevida desta arte para a dramaturgia teatral. Para superarmos tais visões, buscamos algumas aproximações e confluências importantes entre circo e teatro, que se acentuam com o surgimento do circo contemporâneo. Adotando uma visão que não separa "clowns" de "palhaços", nos servimos de conceitos das filosofias da diferença para criarmos algumas brechas por onde possam fluir idéias mais permeáveis, mais coerentes com a porosidade e abertura do corpo clownesco. Estão presentes nesta pesquisa estudiosos que valorizam a multiplicidade nesta arte, palhaços de diferentes períodos e tendências, além das minhas experiências pessoais como clown-palhaça e esportista. / This study approaches the discussion about the differentiation between the terms "clown" and "palhaço." Initially, the following reasons for mutual distrust are highlighted and contextualized: the lack of acknowledgement of their competences and methodologies, the initial denial of the circus references by those attending the courses, the idea that the "palhaço" would have his legitimate origin in the circus ring and the "clowns" would be inadequately taking this art to the theater. In order to go beyond such perspectives, the author looked for some important similarities and confluences between circus and theater that have become more evident after the emergence of the contemporary circus. Adopting a point of view that does not separate "clowns" and "palhaços," concepts of the philosophies of difference were used to create some breaches through which more permeable ideas can flow; such ideas are more coherent with the porosity and opening of the clown body. Researchers that value multiplicity in this art, clowns of different periods and tendencies, in addition to the author's personal experiences as a clown and sportswoman were included in the present study.

Este trabalho aborda a discussão sobre a diferenciação entre os termos "clown" e "palhaço". Inicialmente, contextualizamos e destacamos as seguintes desconfianças mútuas: o não reconhecimento sobre as competências e as metodologias de cada um; a negação inicial das referências circenses pelos freqüentadores dos cursos; a idéia de que o "palhaço" teria a sua origem legítima no picadeiro e os "clowns" estariam fazendo uma apropriação indevida desta arte para a dramaturgia teatral. Para superarmos tais visões, buscamos algumas aproximações e confluências importantes entre circo e teatro, que se acentuam com o surgimento do circo contemporâneo. Adotando uma visão que não separa "clowns" de "palhaços", nos servimos de conceitos das filosofias da diferença para criarmos algumas brechas por onde possam fluir idéias mais permeáveis, mais coerentes com a porosidade e abertura do corpo clownesco. Estão presentes nesta pesquisa estudiosos que valorizam a multiplicidade nesta arte, palhaços de diferentes períodos e tendências, além das minhas experiências pessoais como clown-palhaça e esportista. / This study approaches the discussion about the differentiation between the terms "clown" and "palhaço." Initially, the following reasons for mutual distrust are highlighted and contextualized: the lack of acknowledgement of their competences and methodologies, the initial denial of the circus references by those attending the courses, the idea that the "palhaço" would have his legitimate origin in the circus ring and the "clowns" would be inadequately taking this art to the theater. In order to go beyond such perspectives, the author looked for some important similarities and confluences between circus and theater that have become more evident after the emergence of the contemporary circus. Adopting a point of view that does not separate "clowns" and "palhaços," concepts of the philosophies of difference were used to create some breaches through which more permeable ideas can flow; such ideas are more coherent with the porosity and opening of the clown body. Researchers that value multiplicity in this art, clowns of different periods and tendencies, in addition to the author's personal experiences as a clown and sportswoman were included in the present study.

This paper considers two purposes for actor training—textual interpretation and devising original works—through the teaching of a class based on contemporary theatrical clown and physical theatre exercises which are then applied to Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot. Devised work can be used to interpret a script, and a script can be used as a jumping-off point to devise new works. Beginning with an explanation of the teaching methods for the class, the paper then gives a background of clowns who performed in Beckett’s plays, and analyzes various productions' use of games to enliven text. Exercises from the class are used as examples of exploring the uncovering of clown personas and the application of games to both Beckett scene-work and invented theatre pieces. The students’ final performances are examined to demonstrate the effectiveness of the classwork, confirming that textual interpretation and devising are complementary instead of opposing practices.

Submitted by Glauber Assunção Moreira (glauber.a.moreira@gmail.com) on 2018-08-31T15:49:51Z No. of bitstreams: 1 DISSERTAÇAO final.pdf: 3565325 bytes, checksum: 262d5bb91a5b3159f0ee2507169dbf33 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Ednaide Gondim Magalhães (ednaide@ufba.br) on 2018-09-11T13:15:40Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 DISSERTAÇAO final.pdf: 3565325 bytes, checksum: 262d5bb91a5b3159f0ee2507169dbf33 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-09-11T13:15:40Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DISSERTAÇAO final.pdf: 3565325 bytes, checksum: 262d5bb91a5b3159f0ee2507169dbf33 (MD5) / A pesquisa analisou um processo criativo grupal que propõe a introdução de exercícios e teorias da Psicologia Bioenergética em uma proposta de treinamento de palhaço. Para a consecução desse objetivo realizamos o laboratório “II Encontro Oficina: Palhaço e Psicologia Bioenergética”. O pressuposto deste trabalho é que certos princípios da Psicologia Bioenergética podem servir para o desenvolvimento da criatividade na arte do palhaço. Trata-se de um estudo de caso, onde foram utilizadas técnicas como entrevistas, vídeos, fotografia e diário de campo. A análise teve como objetivo formular relações possíveis entre as duas áreas e examinar, junto à percepção dos participantes, essa possibilidade de exploração do palhaço. Considerou-se finalmente que, nas artes do espetáculo, o resultado cênico desse processo pode contribuir para evidenciar uma complementaridade e integração de ferramentas artísticas e terapêuticas que aprofundam e expandem a capacidade criativa dos exploradores dessa arte. / The research examines a group creative process which proposes the introduction of exercises and theories of Bioenergetics Psychology in a clown training proposal. To achieve this objective we performed the laboratory: "II Meeting Workshop: Clown and Bioenergetics Psychology". The assumption of this work is that certain principles of Bioenergetic Psychology can serve for the development of creativity in the art of clowning. This is a case study, which used techniques such as interviews, videos, photography and field journal. The analysis aims to make possible relations between the two areas and examine, with the participants' perceptions, that possibility of clown exploration. In performing arts, scenic results of this process can contribute to highlight a complementarity and integration of artistic and therapeutic tools that deepen and expand the creative capacity of the explorers of this art.

Este trabalho é o resultado do mergulho no universo da montagem e das apresentações da peça Os Reis Vagabundos do grupo teatral Tear, de 1982, rememorado pelos participantes da criação bem como pelo seu público. Esta peça é considerada um marco do teatro gaúcho e onde sua encenadora, Maria Helena Lopes, lançou mão de seus principais conceitos de trabalho: jogo dramático, improvisação, técnicas de clown e análise de movimento. / This work is consequence of the plunge into the production and the shows universe of the Tear group‟s play The Stray Kings (Os Reis Vagabundos), from 1982, evocated by the creation crew as well as by its audience. This play is ponderated as a landmark of gaucho theatre where its director, Maria Helena Lopes used her main work concepts: play, improvisation, clowning and movement analysis.

Este trabalho é o resultado do mergulho no universo da montagem e das apresentações da peça Os Reis Vagabundos do grupo teatral Tear, de 1982, rememorado pelos participantes da criação bem como pelo seu público. Esta peça é considerada um marco do teatro gaúcho e onde sua encenadora, Maria Helena Lopes, lançou mão de seus principais conceitos de trabalho: jogo dramático, improvisação, técnicas de clown e análise de movimento. / This work is consequence of the plunge into the production and the shows universe of the Tear group‟s play The Stray Kings (Os Reis Vagabundos), from 1982, evocated by the creation crew as well as by its audience. This play is ponderated as a landmark of gaucho theatre where its director, Maria Helena Lopes used her main work concepts: play, improvisation, clowning and movement analysis.

Este trabalho é o resultado do mergulho no universo da montagem e das apresentações da peça Os Reis Vagabundos do grupo teatral Tear, de 1982, rememorado pelos participantes da criação bem como pelo seu público. Esta peça é considerada um marco do teatro gaúcho e onde sua encenadora, Maria Helena Lopes, lançou mão de seus principais conceitos de trabalho: jogo dramático, improvisação, técnicas de clown e análise de movimento. / This work is consequence of the plunge into the production and the shows universe of the Tear group‟s play The Stray Kings (Os Reis Vagabundos), from 1982, evocated by the creation crew as well as by its audience. This play is ponderated as a landmark of gaucho theatre where its director, Maria Helena Lopes used her main work concepts: play, improvisation, clowning and movement analysis.